A VILLAGE trader has dismissed suggestions from a councillor that Davenport Green could soon be left without any shops.

Angry Ken Adams, 60, owner of Knutsford Road's Village Stores, hit back at Fulshaw member Basil Hanson, after he claimed all the shops could soon be closed down.

"There is no chance whatsoever of this shop closing, we are a highly profitable business that is continuing to expand, what he said was ill-informed, and completely wrong," said Ken, who employs seven staff.

"Other shops may have closed in Davenport Green but the services that were offered, from the butcher and grocer are now catered for at this shop, so people have not lost out.

"It is now more convenient for shoppers and this is what shoppers want, both in Wilmslow and other towns."

Ken, who is retiring and has put his shop on the market, was responding to Coun Hanson's comments, in which he spoke of his fears for the Davenport Green community.

Mr Hanson, speaking after the recent closures of the post office and butchers, said: "Four years ago there were seven shops along this row in what was a thriving local community. Now it is just a commuter village.

"It is only a matter of time before there is nothing left and that is a shame."

Ken, who has run his shop for 14 years, responded: "He should have come here before saying anything because I would have told him how well we are doing. Things have changed for local shops because of the competition from supermarkets but some still do well and provide what the local community need.

"In the last 14 years we have expanded enormously and now we have a very profitable business to put on the market. I will only sell this store to someone wanting to continue to run it as a business, so this shop will remain here for the local people."